Tribe's top pick Zimmer latest to join Mahoning Valley Scrappers

United States' Bradley Zimmer warms up before an exhibition game against Cuba, Thursday, July 18, 2013, in Des Moines, Iowa. The teams are to play a five-game series over the next week. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

NILES — In the last five years things have seemingly turned around in the draft department for the Indians. A few high picks have broken through to contribute and several more are showing signs of helping out in Cleveland, sooner than later. That can be backed up by going through the Short Season Class A Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ past rosters.
Noted past Scrappers are Jason Kipnis, Cody Allen, Kyle Crockett and Jesus Aguilar.
The Scrappers kicked off their home portion of the 2014 season this week armed with more fresh-faced talent. Thirteen picks from the Indians’ 2014 draft class are on the Scrappers roster, headlined by outfielder Bradley Zimmer, the Indians No. 1 pick in the draft, 21st overall. Scrappers Manager Ted Kubiak said that it’s the first time they have had that many new draft picks on the roster and said that he’s eager to see how far they can take the team.
Kubiak said that Zimmer “hasn’t played for a while. He’s got to get his legs back under him. I think we’re looking at having him start when we get back home.”
Zimmer comes with a good baseball pedigree. His older brother, Kyle Zimmer, was the Kansas City Royals’ first-round pick in 2012, going fifth overall. According to MLB.com, Zimmer is the 21st best prospect and the Royals’ top prospect. Bradley has yet to have a single at-bat for the Scrappers, but the idea of Bradley vs. older brother Kyle, when the Indians square off with the Royals down the road is an exciting thought.
“He’s given me a few pointers but mostly he’s just told me to go out and have fun with it,” Zimmer said of the advice he’s received from his older brother, “It would be pretty awesome for me and my family, to be able to square off against him one day,”
Most MLB draft experts pegged him to go in the upper-half of the first round but he fell to the Indians at 21. The University of San Francisco didn’t have a great season and Zimmer’s junior year ended early, but Zimmer said he doesn’t think it caused his stock to fall in the draft, “It is what it is. I can’t control any of that, but I’m pretty happy with where I’m at right now,” Zimmer said.
A few of the Scrappers have already got their feet wet in the first week with the club after being drafted this year.
Julian Meryweather, a 6-foot-4 right hander from Oklahoma Baptist was the Indians’ fifth-round choice in the draft earlier this month. So far, Meryweather has appeared in one game, pitching two shutout innings, with just one walk on his line.
Kubiak said of Meryweather’s first outing, “I thought he did really well. I’m getting to know these guys pretty well.”
Left-hander David Speer was chosen in the 27th round by the Indians out of Columbia University. Speer was the 2014 Ivy League Pitcher of the Year. He struck out 75 and walked just seven in 87 innings for the Lions. So far for the Scrappers, he has thrown one scoreless inning.
Shortstop Austin Fisher was selected in the 13th round out of Kansas State. Fisher signed with the Indians after finishing his junior year, hitting .300 for the Wildcats and starting all 55 of the team’s games. The Indians drafted second basemen, Ross Kivett, also from the Wildcats and Broadview Heights native, after his junior year in 2013. Unlike Fisher, Kivett didn’t sign after being drafted as a junior. The Tigers drafted Kivett in 2014 after his senior year at Kansas State. Fisher so far is 2-14 in four games since being assigned to the Scrappers. He has walked five times and stolen a base.
Fisher was a late scratch from the lineup in game two on June 19. Drake Roberts, a 29th-round pick, started at shortstop in game one for the Scrappers. He reached base twice the unlucky way — two hit by pitches, in addition to a groundout in his other at-bat. In game two, Roberts took one for the team again, getting hit by a pitch in his first at-bat. He finally got something to swing at and came up his second professional hit. Sean Brady, a 2013 fifth-rounder, shook off a rough first outing. The 6-foot left-hander pitched four shutout innings, allowing just a hit and two walks in the Scrappers 3-0 win in game one.
San Diego State outfielder Greg Allen hit .302 for the Aztecs, who just recently lost their head coach and hitting legend, Tony Gwynn.
“It was a tough day. It was tough for our team. He meant a lot to us, on and off the field. Hopefully we can honor his memory,” Allen said of Gwynn’s death and his influence at the school.
“It’s been nice to go out there every day and see the game. Get a feel to see what it’s like. I think I’m ready to,” Allen said of getting ready to make his debut.
The switch-hitting outfielder was the Indians’ sixth-round selection. Allen served as the Aztecs’ primary leadoff hitter and projects to have tools to match that profile as he makes his debut into the pros. Some compare Allen to current Indians center fielder, Michael Bourn.
Also on the roster is Cameron Hill, the Indians’ 17th-round pick out of Redlands Community College in Oklahoma. Hill made his pro debut on June 19 in game two of the Scrappers’ doubleheader with Auburn. He allowed just one run, despite loading the bases and allowing a run on a wild pitch.
Luke Eubank, the Indians 15th-round choice from Oxnard College, struck out 131 hitters in 124 innings. The 6-foot right-hander was a Hawaii commit before deciding to sign with Cleveland.
Steven Patterson is a small, but well-built left handed hitting infielder from UC-Davis. Standing at 5 feet 9, Patterson is listed at 205 and was the seventh-hardest player to strike out in Division I baseball this past year.
Twenty-second-round selection Jordan Carter was tied for the team lead at St. Joseph University in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts his senior year. Carter stands at 6 feet 4 and 195 pounds and pitched four years at Division I St. Joe’s.

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About the Author

Justin covers high school and minor league baseball, along with high school football, volleyball and basketball. He is a Wickliffe native and an Akron Zip. You can catch him at a baseball game or watching one in a free time. He also enjoys cruises to various islands. Follow him on Twitter for baseball- and Cleveland- related things. Reach the author at jlada@news-herald.com
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